Information recording method and apparatus, information reproducing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An information recording method and apparatus and an information reproducing method and apparatus in which AV data can be recorded or reproduced temporally continuously without producing fragmentation. To this end, the apparatus includes a storage unit  7  at least including a management information region and a user data region made up of plural logical blocks, and a recording unit  9  for continuously recording information signals from a recording start logical block to a recording end logical block in the user data region of the storage unit  7  and again recording information signals from the recording start logical block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an information recording method and apparatus,and an information reproducing method and apparatus forrecording/reproducing information signals, such as moving picture datafor a recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a filing system for a personal computer for controlling e.g., aconventional hard disc drive (HDD), the main theme has been to handleinherently discrete text data. The result is that, in such file system,such a file is produced in which, due to the recording/reproducingoperations, logical addresses are constituted by non-contiguous sectors,thus producing file fragmentation due to recording/reproducingoperations.

Meanwhile, in recording/reproducing temporally continuous AV data, suchas acoustic or moving picture data, by an HDD, the continuous datatransfer rate is crucial. However, if the file is recorded/reproduced bythe above-described file system, the overhead indicating the managementinformation such as recorded sector numbers, is voluminous, due to filefragmentation, thus consuming a lot of time for recording/reproductionto render it impossible to assure the minimum continuous data transferrate. If it is impossible to assure the continuous data transfer rate,there may arise an inconvenience that the inherently temporallycontinuous AV data cannot be reproduced temporally continuously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aninformation recording method and apparatus, and an informationreproducing method and apparatus for recording/reproducing temporallycontinuous AV data without producing the above-mentioned fragmentation.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an information recordingapparatus including a disc-shaped recording medium at least having amanagement information region and a user data region made up of aplurality of logical blocks, and recording means for continuouslyrecording information signals in the user data region of the storagemeans from a recording start logical block to a recording end logicalblock and for again recording the information signals from the recordingstart logical block.

With the present information recording apparatus, information signalsare continuously recorded by recording means in the logical blocks ofthe disc-shaped recording medium.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an informationrecording method for recording information signals on a disc-shapedrecording medium at least having a management information region and auser data region made up of a plurality of logical blocks, includingcontinuously recording information signals in the user data region froma recording start logical block to a recording end logical block of thedisc-shaped recording medium and again recording the information signalsfrom the recording start logical block.

With the present information recording method, information signals arecontinuously recorded in the logical blocks of the disc-shaped recordingmedium.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus including a disc-shaped recording mediumat least having a management information region and a user data regionmade up of a plurality of logical blocks, recording means forcontinuously recording information signals in the user data region ofthe storage means from a recording start logical block to a recordingend logical block and for again recording the information signals fromthe recording start logical block, and reproducing means for reproducinginformation signals stored in the recording means. The recording meansand the reproducing means records information signals in the user dataregion of the disc-shaped recording medium, while reproducing theinformation signals recorded in the user data region of the disc-shapedrecording medium.

In this information recording/reproducing apparatus, information signalsare continuously recorded in logical blocks of the disc-shaped recordingmedium, while continuously recorded information signals are reproduced.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an informationrecording/reproducing method including continuously recordinginformation signals from a recording start logical block to a recordingend logical block on a disc-shaped recording medium having a managementinformation region and a user data region made up of a plurality oflogical blocks, and again recording information signals from therecording start logical block, and reproducing the information signalsrecorded in the user data region of the disc-shaped recording medium.

In this information recording/reproducing method, information signalsare continuously recorded in logical blocks of the disc-shaped recordingmedium, while continuously recorded information signals are reproduced.

In the information recording method and apparatus of the presentinvention, the information signals are continuously recorded from thelogical block of the leading end logical address to the trailing endlogical block and are again recorded as from the logical block of theleading end logical address, thus enabling data to be recordedtemporally continuously in the user data region. Thus, with the presentinformation recording method and apparatus, continuity of recorded datais assured, there being no risk of fragmentation of recorded data. Sinceno data fragmentation is produced, the data overhead can be reduced toimprove the continuous data transfer rate during reproduction.

Also, with the information recording/reproducing method and apparatus ofthe present invention, information signals are continuously recordedfrom the continuously recorded from the logical block of the leading endlogical address to the trailing end logical block and are again recordedas from the logical block of the leading end logical address, while theinformation signals recorded are reproduced. Thus, with the presentinformation recording/reproducing method and apparatus, continuity ofthe recorded data is assured, while information signals can bereproduced temporally continuously. Thus, with the present informationrecording/reproducing method and apparatus, there is no risk offragmentation produced in the recorded information signals. Also, withthe present information recording method and apparatus, since no datafragmentation is produced, it is possible to reduce the overhead of theinformation signals, thereby improving the continuous data transfer rateduring reproduction. In addition, with the present information recordingmethod and apparatus, the user data region of the recording medium canbe split into plural regions for recording/reproduction, the frequencyof recording can be hierarchized, thus realizing diversifiedapplication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an illustrative structure of aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus embodying the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a file system housed in a ROM.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view for illustrating the contents of a root areaof a file system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the contents of a TOC area of thefile system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the contents of a defect list area ofthe file system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an illustrative structure of an AVcluster stored in the user data region.

FIGS. 7A-D are schematic views for illustrating the capacity of an AVcluster in each recording mode.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view for illustrating audio data stored in the AVcluster.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view for illustrating a still picture clusterstored in audio data.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual view for illustrating recording/reproductionwith twice the capacity of the AV data area and the memo data area inthe information recording/reproducing apparatus having two HDDs.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for illustrating the processing on startup of aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus embodying the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating the updating processing forupdating a root area in the processing on startup of an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for illustrating the updating processing for theTOC area and the defect list area in the processing on startup of aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus embodying the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for illustrating the processing for reproducingAV data by an information recording/reproducing apparatus embodying thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for illustrating the processing for recording AVdata by the information recording/reproducing apparatus embodying thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will be explained in detail.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an illustrative structure of aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus 1 embodying the presentinvention. The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, shown inFIG. 1, includes an antenna 2 for receiving digital data of the MovingPicture Experts Group System (MPEG system), an antenna 3 for receivinganalog signals of, for example, the National Television System Committee(NTSC) system, a signal processing circuit 4 for signal-processingdigital data and analog data received over antennas 2, 3, respectively,and a host bus 5 as a common bus for information transmission. Theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus 1 also includes aninterfacing buffer 6 for mediating information transmission between thesignal processing circuit 4 and the host bus 5, a hard disc drive (HDD)7, having a recording medium for recording the information thereon, andan AT attachment adapter (ATA) 8 for mediating information transmissionbetween the host bus 5 and the HDD 7.

The host bus 5 is a parallel transmission line for transmission of theinformation among various parts of the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1.

The interfacing buffer 6 mediates transmission of an audio and/or visualdigital data stream, referred to hereinafter simply as AV data, betweenthe signal processing circuit 4 and the host bus 5. For example, theinterfacing buffer 6 converts the transfer rate of the AV data oradjusts the transfer timing. This interfacing buffer 6 has an internal2-bank RAM which is made up of two RAMs alternately switched foradjusting information transmission.

The HDD 7 is a is a disc apparatus for recording input AV data. The ATAadapter 8 is interposed between the host bus 5 and the HDD 7 forconversion between parallel data of the host bus 5 and the data-formatdata of the HDD 7.

The HDD 7 includes an internal recording medium for recording AV data.On this recording medium is recorded AV data multiplexed by amultiplexer 19 in accordance with a file system which will be explainedsubsequently. If loaded with a magnetic disc as a recording medium, theHDD 7 includes a magnetic head for recording temporally continuous AVdata on the magnetic disc.

When recording continuous AV data on the magnetic disc, the HDD 7 causesthe magnetic head to scan the magnetic disc from the outer rim towardsthe inner rim thereof to follow the tracks formed on the magnetic disc.When data has been recorded from the outermost rim to the innermost rim,the HDD 7 causes the magnetic head to be moved again to the outermostrim to record AV data. At this time, a routine HDD again records theinformation from the outermost rim after lapse of the time during whichthe magnetic head is moved from the innermost rim to the outermost rimand the rotational waiting time until the time of reaching the logicalblock address of initiating the recording. However, with this HDD 7, therotational waiting time until the recording starting logical blockaddress is set to zero to assure temporal AV data continuity.

That is, with the magnetic head in this HDD 7, the rotational waitingtime is set to zero by calculating the position of the logical blockaddress for recording starting arrayed at the outermost rim. That is, ifthe time for one complete revolution of the magnetic disc is r, the seektime until the magnetic head is moved from the innermost rim to theoutermost rim is t, the angle through which the magnetic disc is rotatedduring this skew time t (skew angle) is θ, the sector number is n andthe number of sectors for cone complete revolution is n₀,

θ>t/r×360°  (1)

and

n(t/r×n ₀)−α  (2).

In the above equation (2), α is the number of sectors of rotation duringthe time needed for the HDD 7 to construe a command from a CPU since theinputting of the command and to set the command in each circuit in theHDD 7. That is, the equation (1) indicates that, if the seek time t isapproximately 5 ms and the time for one complete revolution r isapproximately 10 ms, the skew angle is approximately 180°, meaning thatthe recording starting logical block address may be positioned with anoffset of approximately 180° from the recording end logical blockaddress. The sector number corresponding to the recording startinglogical block address can be calculated by substituting a pre-setnumerical value into the equation (2). Therefore, it is possible withthe present HDD 7 to record non-interrupted data even in case oftemporally continuous recording.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 also includes the CPU9 as a central processing unit for concentrated information processing,a RAM 10 as a volatile memory and a ROM 11 as a non-volatile memory.

The CPU 9 controls a series of operations of the information recordingmethod by the present information recording/reproducing apparatus 1,such as data transfer or control operations for the HDD 7, by softwarecontrol. The software, starting this series of operations, is recordedin, for example, a ROM 11, and is occasionally read out for execution.This CPU 9 operates under the reduced instruction set computer (RISC)system such that the CPU is a reduced instruction set computer in whichthe basic commands are simplified to reduce the number of commands forimproving the processing speed.

This CPU 9 is connected to an actuating input unit, such as a keyboard,not shown, so that it is fed with an actuating input signal from theuser. The CPU 9 is fed with an actuating input signal for commanding therecording and reproduction of, for example, AV data, to control thevarious portions of the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1responsive to the actuating input signal.

In the ROM 11 is stored a file system as a control program as laterexplained. The file system, stored in the ROM 11, is read by the CPU 9.The CPU 9 reading this file system controls the recording/reproductionfor the HDD.

The RAM 10, connected to the host bus 5, is a volatile memory fortransient data storage. The ROM 11, connected to the host bus 5, is anon-volatile memory in which pre-set data and the software are recorded.

In the RAM 10 are stored a root, stored in the HDD 7 during startup andrecording/reproduction, and the management information indicating theTOC. This management information is incidentally updated by the CPU 9during startup and recording/reproduction.

The signal processing circuit 4 includes a tuner 15, fed with signalsvia antenna 3 receiving video and audio signals of the analog system, anA/D conversion circuit 16 for converting video signals entering thetuner 15 into digital data, and an NTSC decoder 17 fed with digitalsystem video signals from the AID conversion circuit 16. The signalprocessing circuit 4 also includes an MPEG2 encoder 18 fed with thevideo signals converted into baseband signals by the NTSC decoder 17 anda multiplexer 19 of the MPEG system of the digital system.

This signal processing circuit 4 also includes an A/D conversion circuit20 fed with audio signals entering the tuner 15 and an MPEG1 encoder 21fed with audio signals converted into digital signals by the A/Dconversion circuit 20.

The tuner 15 is fed with, for example, NTSC signals received by theantenna 3. The tuner 15 receives and detects the video and audio signalsreceived by the antenna 3. The tuner 15 outputs the detected videosignals to the A/D conversion circuit 16 while outputting the audiosignals to the A/D conversion circuit 20.

The A/D conversion circuit 16 A/D converts the video signals from thevideo input terminal or the tuner 15 into video data. The A/D conversioncircuit 16 also outputs the video data of, for example, the NTSC systemto the NTSC decoder 17.

The NTSC decoder 17 is fed with the video data of the NTSC system fromthe A/D conversion circuit 16. This NTSC decoder 17 expands the inputvideo data to generate baseband signals. The NTSC decoder 17 outputs thebaseband signals to the MPEG2 encoder 18 via terminal 1 of a switch 22.

The MPEG2 encoder 18 compresses the baseband signals from the NTSCdecoder 17. At this time, the MPEG2 encoder compresses the inputbaseband signals into digital data of the MPEG2 system. This MPEG2encoder 18 encodes the input baseband signals at a compression ratespecified by the CPU 9 so as to be an integer number multiple of thelogical sector of the recording medium. That is, the MPEG2 encoder 18performs compression so that the maximum data value of the input GOPand/or the I-frame will be data volume equal to an integer numbermultiple of the logical sector of the recording medium.

The MPEG2 encoder 18 is fed with baseband signals from an MPEG2 decoder24 via terminal 2 of the switch 22 and terminal 2 of the switch 26. ThisMPEG2 encoder 18 encodes the baseband signals from the MPEG2 decoder 24at a pre-set compression rate.

The tuner 15 outputs audio signals, among the input signals from theantenna 3, to the A/D conversion circuit 20. The A/D conversion circuit20 A/D converts the input audio signals to audio data. This A/Dconversion circuit 20 outputs the audio data to the MPEG1 encoder 21.

The MPEG1 encoder 21 compresses the audio data from the A/D conversioncircuit 20 to output the compressed data to the multiplexer 19.

The multiplexer 19 multiplexes the video data from the MPEG2 encoder 18and the audio data from the MPEG1 encoder 21. The multiplexer 19compresses the MPEG signals along the time axis to VAVAVA . . . in GOPtime units, where V and A are video data and audio data, respectively.The multiplexer 19 outputs the multiplexed AV data to the interfacingbuffer 6.

The multiplexer 19 is fed via interfacing buffer 6 with AV data recordedon a recording medium in the HDD 7. The multiplexer 19 splits the AVdata entering from the interfacing buffer 6 into video data and audiodata. This multiplexer 19 outputs the video data obtained on splittingvia terminal 2 to a multiplexer 32 via terminal 2 of the switch 34 andto the MPEG2 decoder 24 via terminal 1 of the switch 23. The multiplexer32 outputs the audio data obtained on splitting to the multiplexer 32via a delay circuit 33 and to an MPEG1 decoder 25.

The signal processing circuit 4 includes an antenna 2 for receivingdigital data of the MPEG system, a set top box STB 30, a digital I/Fcircuit 31, the multiplexer 32 and the delay circuit 33.

The antenna 2 again receives digital data of, for example, the MPEGsystem. This antenna 2 outputs the received digital data as RF signalsto the STB 30.

The STB 30 receives and detects the digital data from the antenna 2 at afront end. The STB 30 descrambles the scrambled digital data to outputthe resulting descrambled data to the digital I/F circuit 31.

The STB 30 is fed from the digital I/F circuit 31 with digital data. TheSTB 30 has an MPEG decoder enclosed therein. The STB 30 decodes thedigital data from the digital I/F circuit 31, using the MPEG decoder toexpand the compressed video data and audio data for conversion to videosignals and audio signals.

The digital I/F circuit 31 has a physical layer/link layer processingcircuit and performs signal processing, such as signal conversion, ondigital data from the STB 30, to output the processed data to themultiplexer 32.

The digital I/F circuit 31 is also fed with digital data multiplexedfrom the video data and the audio data from the multiplexer 32. Thisdigital I/F circuit 31 outputs the digital data to the STB 30.

The multiplexer 32 splits the digital data from the digital I/F circuit31 into video data and audio data. The multiplexer 32 outputs the videodata obtained on splitting to the MPEG2 decoder 24 via terminal 1 to theswitch 34 and via terminal 2 of the switch 23. This multiplexer 32outputs the audio data to the delay circuit 33.

The multiplexer 32 is fed with video data from the multiplexer 19 viaswitch 34 and with audio data via the delay circuit 33. The multiplexer32 multiplexes the input video and audio data to output the multiplexeddata to the digital I/F circuit 31.

The delay circuit 33 adjusts the delay of the audio data from themultiplexer 32. This delay circuit 33 delays the input video or audiodata to adjust the time difference between the input video and audiodata to output the audio data to the multiplexer 32.

The delay circuit 33 is fed as input only with audio data among thevideo and audio data as split by the multiplexer 19. The delay circuit33 adjusts the delay with respect to the video data to output the audiodata to the multiplexer 32.

The signal processing circuit 4 includes the MPEG2 decoder 24 fed withvideo data via terminal 2 of the switch 23, the MPEG1 decoder 25 fedwith audio data obtained on splitting by the multiplexer 19, and an NTSCencoder 27 fed with video data decoded by the MPEG2 decoder 24 viaterminal 1 of the switch 26. The signal processing circuit 4 alsoincludes a D/A conversion circuit 28 fed with data encoded by the NTSCencoder 27 and a D/A converting circuit 29 fed with audio data decodedby the MPEG1 decoder 25.

The MPEG2 decoder 24 is fed via terminal 1 of the switch 23 with videodata obtained in such a manner that the AV data recorded on the HDD 7 isread out by the data transfer software of the CPU 9 and split via ATAadapter 8, host bus 5 and interfacing buffer 6 by the multiplexer 19.This MPEG2 decoder 24 expands the compressed input video data. Also, theMPEG2 decoder 24 is fed video data via terminal 2 of the switch 23 fromthe multiplexer 32. The MPEG2 decoder 24 outputs to the switch 26 thevideo data obtained on expanding the input video data.

The switch 23 is controlled so that it is coupled to the terminal 2 orto the terminal 1 when the video data from the multiplexer 32 is enteredto the MPEG2 decoder 24 or when the video data from the multiplexer isentered to the MPEG2 decoder 24, respectively.

Also, the switch 26 is controlled so that it is couped to the terminal 2or to the terminal 1 when video data from the MPEG2 decoder 24 isoutputted to the switch 22 or to the NTSC encoder 27, respectively.

The NTSC encoder 27 is fed via terminal 1 of the switch 26 with videodata decoded by the MPEG2 decoder 24. This NTSC encoder 27 compressesthe input video data by the NTSC system to output the compressed data tothe D/A conversion circuit 28.

The D/A conversion circuit 28 D/A converts the video data from the NTSCencoder 27 into video signals. This D/A conversion circuit 28 outputsthe video signals to a video output terminal.

The MPEG1 decoder 25 is fed with audio data obtained on splitting by themultiplexer 19. This MPEG1 decoder 25 expands the input audio data. ThisMPEG1 decoder 25 outputs the expanded audio data to the D/A convertingcircuit 29.

The D/A converting circuit 29 D/A converts the audio data from the MPEG1decoder 25 into audio signals. This D/A converting circuit 29 outputsthe audio signals to an audio output terminal.

When recording the digital data of the MPEG system received by theantenna 2 on the recording medium in the HDD 7, the signal processingcircuit 4 outputs the digital data via STB 30 and digital I/F circuit 31to the multiplexer 32.

The multiplexer 32 separates the input digital data into video data andaudio data. The multiplexer 32 outputs the audio data to the delaycircuit 33.

Also, the multiplexer 32 outputs the video data via switch 34 and switch23 to the MPEG2 decoder 24. At this time, control is made so that themovable contacts of the switches 34, 23 are set to the terminals 1 and2, respectively.

The MPEG2 decoder 24 expands the compressed video data to output theexpanded data via switches 26, 22 to the MPEG2 encoder 18. At this time,control is made so that the switches 26, 22 are connected to theterminal 2.

The MPEG2 encoder 18 compresses video data entered at a pre-setcompression rate. At this time, the MPEG2 encoder 18 compresses the GOPand/or the I-picture at a compression rate which is equal to an integernumber times the logical sector of the recording medium in the HDD 7.

The audio data delayed by the delay circuit 33 is outputted to themultiplexer 19 under timing control, while the video data from the m18is outputted to the multiplexer 19.

The multiplexer 19 multiplexes the input video and audio data togenerate AV data to record the generated AV data on the recording mediumin the HDD 7 via ATA adapter 8. Thus, with the presentrecording/reproducing apparatus 1, MPEG data is recorded in terms oflogical sectors of the recording medium asa unit.

Also, when recording analog signals of the NTSC system received viaantenna 3 on the recording medium in the HDD 7, analog signals of theNTSC system are outputted to the tuner 15.

The tuner 15 detects analog signals from the antenna 3 to output videosignals and audio signals to the A/D conversion circuit 16 and to theA/D conversion circuit 20, respectively. At this time, the A/Dconversion circuit 16 may be fed with video signals from a video inputterminal, while the A/D conversion circuit 20 may be fed with audiosignals from the audio input terminal.

The A/D conversion circuit 16 A/D converts the input video signals intovideo data which is outputted to the NTSC decoder 17.

The NTSC decoder 17 expands the video data from the A/D conversioncircuit 16 to convert the video data into baseband signals which areoutputted to the MPEG2 encoder 18. At this time, the switch 22 iscontrolled to be connected to the terminal 1.

The MPEG2 encoder 18 is fed via switch 22 with baseband signals. TheMPEG2 encoder 18 encodes the input baseband signals into MPEG data at acompression rate specified by the CPU 9 to form video data of the MPEG2system. The MPEG2 encoder 18 performs encoding so that the GOP and/orthe I-frame will be compressed at a rate of an integer number multipleof the logical sector of the recording medium in the HDD 7. The MPEG2encoder 18 outputs the video to the multiplexer 19.

On the other hand, the A/D conversion circuit 20, fed with audio signalsfrom the tuner 15, A/D converts the audio signals into audio data whichis outputted as audio data to the MPEG1 encoder 21.

The MPEG1 encoder 21 encodes the audio data from the A/D conversioncircuit 20 in accordance with the MPEG1 system to output the encodeddata to the multiplexer 19.

The multiplexer 19 multiplexes the video data fed from the MPEG2 encoder18 and the audio data fed from the MPEG1 encoder 21 to generate AV data.

The multiplexer 19 records the generated AV data via interfacing buffer6, host bus 5 and the ATA adapter 8 on a recording medium in the HDD 7.Thus, with the present recording/reproducing apparatus 1, AV data of theMPEG system are recorded in terms of the logical sectors of therecording medium asa unit.

When reproducing the AV data recorded on the recording medium in the HDD7, the AV data stored in the HDD 7 is read out by a data transfersoftware started by the CPU 9 in terms of the logical sectors of therecording medium asa unit. It is possible for the CPU 9 to read out AVdata stored in the HDD 7 by, for example, various variable speedreproducing modes under software control.

In the present recording/reproducing apparatus 1, AV data read out fromthe HDD 7 is entered to the multiplexer 19 via ATA adapter 8, host bus 5and interfacing buffer 6. This multiplexer 19 splits the input AV datainto video data and audio data.

When reproducing the AV data recorded on the recording medium as digitaldata, the signal processing circuit 4 outputs the video data from themultiplexer 19 via switch 34 to the multiplexer 32, whiledelay-adjusting the audio data in the delay circuit 33 to output thedelay-adjusted data to the multiplexer 32.

The multiplexer 32 multiplexes the input audio and video data to outputthe multiplexed data to the digital I/F circuit 31. The audio data andthe video data are entered to the STB 30 and converted by the MPEGdecoder in the STB 30 into audio and video signals which may bereproduced by variable-speed reproduction, seamless reproduction andnon-linear edit reproduction under software control by the CPU 9.

If the AV data recorded on the recording medium by the signal processingcircuit 4 is to be reproduced as analog signals, video data is outputtedfrom the multiplexer 19 via terminal 1 of the switch 23 to the MPEG2decoder 24.

The MPEG2 decoder 24 decodes the video data from the multiplexer 19 tooutput the decoded data via terminal 1 of the switch 26 to the NTSCencoder 27.

The NTSC encoder 27 converts the digital data from the MPEG2 decoder 24into NTSC system video data. The NTSC encoder 27 outputs the NTSC systemvideo data to the D/A conversion circuit 28.

The D/A conversion circuit 28 D/A converts video data from the NTSCencoder 27 into NTSC system video signals which are outputted to a videooutput terminal.

The multiplexer 19 outputs the audio data to the MPEG1 decoder 25, whichthen decodes the audio data from the multiplexer 19 to output thedecoded data to the D/A converting circuit 29.

The D/A converting circuit 29 D/A converts audio signals from the MPEG1decoder 25 to output the converted signals to an audio output terminal.

Thus, when recording digital signals compressed in accordance with theMPEG system, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 causesthe MPEG2 decoder 24 to decode the data while causing the MPEG2 encoder18 to encode the data at a pre-set compression rate equal to an integernumber multiple of the logical sectors of the hard disc for recording.On the other hand, if fed with the NTSC system signals, the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1 causes the MPEG2 encoder 18 to encodethe signals for recording. Therefore, in reproducing recorded digitaldata, recorded digital data can be reproduced simply by specifying theaddress information of the hard disc using, for example, the datatransfer hardware, thus assuring facilitated accessing to the hard disc.Thus, with the present information recording/reproducing apparatus 1,variable readout speeds can be used for reproduction, thus allowing touse a variety of reproducing systems.

In the above-described information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, acompression rate corresponding to an integer number multiple of thelogical sector of the hard disc is used for compression by the MPEG2encoder 18. It is however possible with the MPEG2 encoder 18 to compressdata at a plurality of fixed rates.

That is, if AV data compressed and recorded on a hard disc is used forediting, the compression rate of 8 Mbps may be used, whereas, it thedata is used for SP (standard playing) or LP (long playing), thecompression rates of 4 Mbps or 2 Mbps may be used, respectively. If theAV data recorded on the hard disc on the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1 is to be reproduced, the data transfersoftware may be controlled in the CPU 9 to vary the reading capacity inorder to perform reproduction as described above.

The file system stored in the ROM 11 is explained. FIG. 2 shows anillustrative structure of the file system 40. In this file system 40,the capacity of approximately 14 GB from the leading end LBA 0 up to thetrailing end LBA N constitutes an information area.

The file system 40 has its information area made up of a lead-in region,a first system region, a user data region, a second system region and aback-up area.

The lead-in region is two sectors from the leading end LBA 0 andrepresents a rot area. Referring to FIG. 3, this root area stores astart LBA of a table-of-contents (TOC) area, a start LBA for a defectlist area, a start LBA for the user data region and a start LBA for abackup region. In this root area, there are also stored a start LBA ofan AV data area of the user data region (referred to hereinafter as arecording start LBA), a memo data area start LBA and a start LBA for theaudio data area. Thus, the root area stores the split positioninformation specifying the overall structure of the file system 40.

This root area is made up a root 1 and a root 2 and, as fail-safemeasure, the same contents are stated therein.

At the trailing end of the root area is stored an A P count which isdata incremented each time the root area is rewritten. This A P count isarranged at a position sub-dividing the lead-in region from the systemregion.

The first system region is made up of a TOC area of 1534 sectors and adefect list area of 2560 sectors. In the TOC area and in the defect listarea, there are stored the management information for AV data recordedin the user data region and a table for managing second-order defectsproduced in the user data region, respectively.

The TOC area may be configured similarly to that of a mini-disc (MD) andis composed of PTOC0 to 2 used for moving picture data, PTOC0 to 2 usedfor audio data, STOC for moving pictures, an STOC for audio, MTOC andTOC reserved as a reservation area for TOC.

Referring to FIG. 4, the A P count is stored in the leading end LBA ofthe TOC area, and the split position information and the recording modeinformation on the information stored in the user data region are storedat back of the A P count. This recording mode information is theinformation specifying the compression rate, such as the compressionrate in the compression system.

In this TOC area, there are recorded, for every information portionstored in the user data region, the split position informationspecifying the 4-byte start address LBA and the end LBA and the 1-byterecording mode information.

Referring to FIG. 5, the A P count is stored in the leading end LBA anda table for managing the second-order defect is stored at back of the AP count.

Referring to FIG. 2 the user data region is made up of 27249542 sectorsand includes an AV data area, a memo data area and an audio data area.The size of the respective areas of the user data region corresponds tothe split position information stored in the above-mentioned root area.

In this user data region, the AV data area, memo data area and the audiodata area are arrayed in this sequence from the outer rim side of thedisc-shaped recording medium. In the AV data area, memo data area andthe audio data area, addresses indicating the leading end LBA isrecorded in the root area.

In the AV data area is recorded compressed AV data. Among data recordedin the AV data area, there are moving picture data compressed inaccordance with the MPEG2 system, and data compressed in accordance withthe wavelet compression system. Also, in this AV data area, the data arerecorded with respective recording modes which will give the compressionrate of the MPEG2 compression system equal to, for example, 8 Mbps, 6Mbps, 4 Mbps and 2 Mbps. In the wavelet compression system, the data arerecorded with respective recording modes which will give the compressionrate equal to, for example, 8 Mbps and 6 Mbps.

In the AV data area, mainly the moving picture data and audio dataancillary to the moving picture data are recorded in temporalcontinuation to its recording start LBA. In this AV data area, data aresequentially recorded as from the recording start LBA and, when the AVdata has been recorded in the total area, the AV data is again recordedby overwriting as from the recording start LBA, by way of recording by aso-called ring storage structure. When reproducing the AV data recordedin this AV data area, it is reproduced by temporally continuousreproduction.

In the AV data area, moving picture data and audio data are recordedwith an AV cluster shown in FIG. 6 as a recording unit. This AV clusteris made up of a sequence header code (SH), indicating the sequence layerstart synchronization code, a group-of-pictures (GOP) and a sequence endcode (SE), and an audio cluster.

In the AV data area, the compression rate is selected by the CPU 9 sothat the compression rate of the video cluster and the audio clusterwill be an integer number times the sector unit, and the video clusterand the audio cluster are compressed by this compression rate andrecorded on the recording medium in the HDD 7. This AV data area has2^(n) sectors subject to selection of the compression rate.

Each GOP is made up of an I-picture, obtained on encoding using anintra-frame prediction, a P-picture, obtained on encoding using aninter-frame forward prediction, and a B-picture obtained usingbi-directional coding. In the present embodiment, GOP parameters are setso that M=3 and N=15. That is, in the present embodiment, each GOP ismade up of 15 pictures, with the period of the I- or P-pictures being 3.The I-picture has the maximum size of a fixed capacity, with the GOPsize also being of a fixed capacity.

In the audio cluster, audio data corresponding to the GOP is stored.This audio data is compressed and recorded in accordance with the MPEGAudio system or the ATRAC system. The audio cluster is of a fixed sizein meeting with a GOP. In the present embodiment, this audio cluster iscompressed so that the audio cluster is made up of 24 sectors or 12.288kB or made up of 36 sectors or 18.432 kB if the cluster is compressed inthe MPEG audio system or in the ATRAC system, respectively. The videocluster is compressed with the compression rate being varied in meetingwith variation in the audio cluster capacity in order to provide for afixed capacity of the AV cluster in its entirety.

The AV data area is recorded in the HDD 7 with a variable size dependingon the compression rate in association with the recording mode. If thecompression rate of the MPEG2 system is 8.184/8.086 Mbps (edit mode),the AV data area in its entirety is 524.288 kB (1024 sectors), with theI-picture being 124.928 kB and the GOP being 512 kB/524.288 kB, as shownin FIG. 7a.

If the compression rate of the MPEG2 system is 6.089/5.991 Mbps (HPmode), the AV data area in its entirety is 393.216 kB (768 sectors),with the I-picture being 104.448 kB and the GOP being 380.928 KB/374.784kB, as shown in FIG. 7b.

If the compression rate of the MPEG2 system is 3.994/3.895 Mbps (SPmode), the AV data area in its entirety is 262.144 kB (512 sectors),with the I-picture being 83.968 kB and the GOP being 249.856 KB/243.712KB, as shown in FIG. 7c.

If the compression rate of the MPEG2 system is 1.899/1.800 Mbps (LPmode), the AV data area in its entirety is 131.072 kB (256 sectors),with the I-picture being 43.008 kB and the GOP being 118.784 KB/112.640KB, as shown in FIG. 7d.

Of the AV data recorded in the above-mentioned AV data area, onlyspecified AV data selected by an actuating input signal by the user isrecorded. The recording format etc of the memo data area is similar tothat of the AV data area and is of the ring storage structure in whichthe data is recorded temporally continuously. The memo data area isusually smaller in capacity than the AV data area.

In the audio data area, audio data, such as still picture data, isrecorded in the memo data area. In distinction from the above-mentionedAV data area or memo data area, the audio data is not recordedtemporally continuously and are recorded/reproduced by random accessing.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the audio data compression system in whichthe ATRAC system is used as a compression system for audio data storedin the audio data area. The audio data recorded in this audio data areais compressed/expanded in terms of a sound group as a unit and isrecorded as a 424 byte data. Since the data is recorded on the HDD 7 interms of 512 bytes as a sector as a unit, the audio data is recordedwith the least common multiple of the 424 bytes and 512 bytes as arecording unit. In the present embodiment, the least common multiple of424 bytes and 512 bytes is 27136, so that the audio data area is made upof 27.136 KB, made up of 53 sectors and 64 sound groups.

The still picture data stored in the audio data area is compressed inaccordance with the Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group (JPEG)system, and is made up of 212 sectors, as shown in FIG. 9, with fouraudio clusters being stored as still picture clusters. This stillpicture cluster has a recording unit of 27.136 KB.

The second system region is constituted as a reserve area and is made upof a CD data area of 20480 sectors and a system reserve area.

The backup region has the contents similar to those of theabove-mentioned lead-in region and first system region, as shown in FIG.2. This backup area is utilized for fail-safe measures, for example, bydirectly copying the contents of the lead-in region and the systemregion.

In distinction from the lead-in region and the system region, thisbackup region is designed so that the root area will be the trailing endLBA. That is, in this backup region, the capacity from LBA 0 to LBA N,for example, is fixed, so that, even if the lead-in region cannot bereproduced by malfunctions, the backup region can be accessed toreproduce the split position information in the recording medium.

The CPU 9 stores AV data etc in the recording medium in the HDD 7 inaccordance with this file system 40. Also, the CPU 9 is responsive to anactuating input signal from the user to split the above-mentioned AVdata area. At this time, the CPU splits the AV data area and the memodata area responsive to the actuating input signal via the ATA adapter8. The recording format of the AV data area and the memo data area splitby the CPU 9 is of the ring storage structure, similarly to theabove-described structure, such that, if the data is sequentiallyrecorded from the leading end LBA until the AV data is recorded in theentire area, the AV data is again recorded by overwriting beginning fromthe leading end LBA. The AV data recorded in this AV data area isreproduced temporally continuously.

Therefore, in tis information recording/reproducing apparatus, pluralmemo data areas can be provided responsive to the actuating input signalfrom the user. The recording frequency can be hierarchically arranged bythe provision of the plural rings.

As embodiments of the use of the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1, an AV data area is set as an area for perpetually recordingthe analog and digital broadcasting programs. Since the AV data area isof the ring storage structure, as described above, it is determined bythe recording capacity as set and by the compression rate of recorded AVdata, such that overwrite recording occurs after lapse of a pre-settime. For example, if the capacity of the AV data area is for 7 hours ofthe AV data volume, overwriting recording occurs after seven hours. Inthe AV data area having the ring storage structure, the AV data whichthe user desired to keep is erased after lapse of seven hours. However,this inconvenience is evaded by providing a memo data area separatelyfrom the AV data area. That is, in the present informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1, only AV data which the user desiresto keep, among the AV data recorded in the AV data area, is recorded inthe memo data area, thus assuring longer recoding than is possible withthe AV data area. The reason is that it is possible to reduce thefrequency of recording for the memo data area significantly as comparedto that for the AV data area.

For example, in the present information recording/reproducing apparatus1, the AV data area, the first memo data area smaller in capacity thanthe AV data area and the second memo data area smaller in capacity thanthe second memo data area are set by an actuating input signal from theuser. If an actuating input signal for recording at least part of the AVdata in the AV data area is sent, the CPU 9 copies and records the AVdata in the first memo data area. If an actuating input signal forrecording at least part of the AV data recorded in the first memo dataarea is supplied, the CPU 9 copies and records the AV data in the secondmemo data area.

By hierarchically setting the memo data area, it is possible to reducethe frequency of recording for the second memo data area as compared tothat for the first memo data.

Also, when AV data from the multiplexer 19 is recorded on the HDD 7 bygenerating and outputting an ATA command, the CPU 9 outputs a controlsignal to the MPEG2 decoder 24 to control the compression rate, as aresult of which AV data recorded on the HDD 7 is encoded for compressionat a specified compression rate. At this time, the compressed Av data isof such a data volume in which the maximum value of the GOP and/or theI-frame is equal to a data volume equal to an integer number times thelogical sector of the recording medium of the HDD 7, as discussed above.This compression rate is determined depending on the recording modespecified by the actuating input signal from the user.

If the CPU 9 has N HDDs 7, the capacity of the AV data area and the memodata area may be N-tupled depending on the actuating input signal fromthe user. Thus, with the present information recording/reproducingapparatus 1, AV data can be recorded temporally continuously not only ona sole HDD 7 but also on plural HDDs 7. If the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1 has two HDDs 7 a, 7 b, as shown inFIG. 10, the capacity of the AV data area 7 c and that of the memorydata area 7 d can be doubled, as shown in FIG. 10.

Also, with the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 having NHDDs 7, as described above, the number of the memo data areas can beN-tupled depending on the actuating input signal. By N-tupling thenumber of the memo data areas, it is possible to increase the depth ofthe hierarchical structure of the file system.

Moreover, in this information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, the AVdata area can be split into an inner rim portion and an outer rimportion of the recording medium in order to effectrecording/reproduction in the shape of a letter eight on a sole HDD 7.That is, in this HDD 7, the recording in the shape of the letter eightcan be realized by recording the AV data in the outer rim portionbeginning from the outer rim side recording start LBA towards the innerrim side recording end LBA, by recording in the inner rim portionbeginning from the inner rim side recording start LBA towards the outerrim side recording end LBA and by again recording from the outer rimside on the outer rim side towards the inner rim side LBA. By recordingin the shape of the letter eight, it is possible with the presentinformation recording/reproducing apparatus 1 to reduce the seek timeof, for example, a magnetic head, to record the AV data temporallycontinuously without interruptions.

An illustrative operation of the above-described informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1 is hereinafter explained.

If fed with the power from a power source, an initializing operation asshown in FIG. 11 is initiated. That is, in the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1, the CPU 9 manages control at stepST11 to read the A P count along with the split position informationstored in a root area in a lead-in region of the HDD 7.

The CPU 9 also manages control to read the contents of the root areafrom the leading end LBA 0 and LBA 1 and to reproduce the data beginningfrom the trailing end LBS to read the contents of the root area in thebackup region. The CPU 9 thus proceeds to the updating processing atstep ST12 and thence to the processing at step ST13. This updatingprocessing will be explained subsequently.

At step ST13, the CPU 9 finds addresses of the TOC area, defect listarea and the backup region based on the split position informationstored in the root area selected by the above-mentioned updatingprocessing, before proceeding to step ST14.

At step ST14, the CPU 9 reproduces the TOC area, based on the TOC areaof the system region and the TOC area of the backup region, as found atstep ST13, to reproduce the TOC area. At step ST15, the CPU 9 performsupdating processing to update the TOC area before proceeding toe stepST16. This updating processing will be explained subsequently.

At step ST16, the CPU 9 reproduces the defect list area of the systemregion and the backup region, based on the splitting positioninformation of the root area updated by the processing at step ST12,before proceeding toe step ST17.

At step ST17, the CPU performs the updating processing, now explainedwith reference to FIG. 12, to terminate the startup processing. The CPU9 is then in a standby state.

Referring to FIG. 12, the updating processing at step ST12 is explained.FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating the updating processing of theroot area. First, at step ST21, the CPU 9 compares the A P count of thetwo root areas in the lead-in region and the A P count of two root areasin the backup region, before proceeding to step ST22.

At step ST22, of the A P counts of the root area in the lead-in regionand the A P counts in the root area in the backup region, totalling fourA p counts, those having the difference equal to three or more isdisregarded, before the CPU proceeds to step ST23. That is, at stepST22, the four A P counts are compared to one another and, if a given AP count differs by three or more from the remaining A P counts, this A Pcount is excluded.

At step ST23, it is verified whether or not the A P count in the lead-inregion is larger than the A P count in the backup region. If the resultis YES, the CPU proceeds to step ST24 and, if otherwise, the CPUproceeds to step ST25. That is, at this step ST23, the root area havingthe largest one of the A P counts of the plural root areas is selected.

At step ST24, the larger A P count selected at step ST23 is recorded inthe remaining area in a RAM 10 before the CPU proceeds to step ST25.

At step ST25, only one data updated in the RAM 10 is left while theremaining data are cleared to terminate the updating processing in theroot area. The CPU then proceeds to step ST13.

Referring to FIG. 13, the updating processing at step ST15 and at stepST17 is explained. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the updatingprocessing for the TOC area and the defect list area. The processingshown in this flowchart is similar to that shown in FIG. 12. At stepST31, the A P count of the TOC area or the defect list area in the firstsystem region reproduced at step ST14 is compared to the A P count ofthe TOC area or the defect list area in the backup region before the CPUproceeds to step ST32.

At step ST32, the processing similar to that of step ST23 is performed.That is, the A P count stored in the first system region is compared tothe A P count stored in the backup region. If the A P count stored inthe first system region is larger than the A P count stored in thebackup region, the CPU proceeds to step ST33 and, if otherwise, the CPUproceeds to step ST34.

At step ST33, the information of the TOC area or the information of thedefect list area having the larger A P count is stored in the RAM 10. Atstep ST34, the information of the TOC area or the information of thedefect list area for which the A P count has been verified to be smallerat the above step ST32 is erased from the RAM 10. The result is thatonly one information of the TOC area or the defect list area is storedin the RAM 10.

By updating the data stored in the lead-in region, system region and thebackup region at the startup time, reliability in these regions ismaintained.

For reproducing the AV data recorded on the recording medium in the HDD7 in the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, an operatinginput signal is sent at step ST41 from the user to the CPU 9. The CPU isresponsive to this actuating input signal to interpret the sorts of theAV data before proceeding to step ST42. Among the sorts of the AV data,there are, for example, the contents of a picture stored in the userdata region.

At step ST42, the TOC area is reproduced from the information stored inthe root area acquired in the startup operation, depending on the sortof the AV data acquired at step ST41 to select the managementinformation of the contents for reproduction depending on the actuatinginput signal. The CPU 9 then proceeds to step ST43.

At step ST43, the start LBA of the AV data indicating the contents forreproduction and the LBAs reproduced in continuation to this start LBAare acquired, from the management information of the TOC area selectedat step ST42 by the CPU 9, before the CPU 9 proceeds to step ST44.

At step ST44, the recording mode is acquired from the managementinformation of the TOC area selected at step ST42, before the CPU 9proceeds to step ST45. As the recording mode, there is, for example, theinformation such as the compression system and the compression rate inthe compression system.

At step ST45, the CPU 9 is responsive to the recording mode acquired atstep ST44 to send the ATA playback command at a length and an intervalin meeting with the recording mode to the ATA adapter 8 to start thereproduction before the CPU proceeds to step ST46. The ATA adapter 8 isresponsive to the playback command from the CPU 9 to reproduce the AVdata stored in the HDD 7 to send the reproduced AV data via host bus 5and the interfacing buffer 6 to the multiplexer 19. The multiplexersplits the input AV data into video data and audio data which arereproduced.

At step ST46, the CPU 9 verifies whether or not the totality of theinformation corresponding to the actuating input signal has beereproduced. If it is verified that the AV data corresponding to theactuating input signal has not been reproduced, the CPU reverts to stepST45 and, if otherwise, the CPU terminates the playback processing toenter the stand-by state.

When the AV data is to be recorded on a recording medium in the HDD 7 inthe information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, an actuating inputsignal is sent from the user to the CPU 9 at step ST51. The CPU 9 isresponsive to this actuating input signal to interpret the sort of theAV data for recording and the recording mode before proceeding to stepST52. Among the sorts of the AV data, there are, for example, thecontents of a picture. The recording mode may be exemplified by, forexample, the information on the compression system and the informationon the compression rate deo the compression system.

At step ST52, the CPU 9 reproduces the TOC area from the informationstored in the root area acquired in the startup operation, responsivetot the sort of the AV data acquired at step ST51 to select themanagement information depending on the recording contents responsive tothe actuating input signal. The CPU then proceeds to step ST53.

At step ST53, the CPU 9 acquires the recording start LBA from themanagement information of the TOC area obtained on selection at stepST52, before proceeding to step ST54.

At step ST54, the CPU 9 generates and outputs an ATA recording commandcorresponding to the recording mode obtained at step ST51 beforeproceeding to step ST55.

At this time, the ATA adapter 8 is fed with the ATA recording commandfrom the CPU 9 and with the AV data for recording from the multiplexer19. The ATA adapter 8 outputs to the HDD 7 the signals and AV data inmeeting with the ATA recording command.

It is also possible for the CPU 19 to generate control signals forcontrolling the compression rate at the time of compressing theinformation signals by the MPEG2 encoder 18, responsive to the recodingmode obtained at step ST51 to send the generated control signals viahost bus 5, interfacing buffer 6 and multiplexer 19 to the multiplexer19.

At step ST55, the CPU 9 updates the file system 40 stored in the RAM 10responsive to the contents newly recorded in the user data region of therecording medium of the HDD 7 at the above step ST54. That is, at thisstep ST55, the TOC area, stating the contents of the AV data recorded inthe user data region, the recording mode at the time the contents arerecorded, the recording start LBA and the recording end LBA, is updated,before the CPU proceeds to step ST56.

At step ST56, the CPU 9 verifies whether or not the totality of the AVdata supplied from the multiplexer 19 has been recorded on the recordingmedium of the HDD 7. If the result at step ST56 is NO, the CPU revertsto step ST44 to record the remaining AV data. If the result at step ST56is YES, the CPU proceeds to step ST57.

Since the CPU 9 has updated the contents of the TOC area at step ST55,the CPU 9 at step ST57 increments the A P count stored in the TOC areastored in the RAM 10. The CPU 9 then proceeds to step ST58.

At step ST58, the CPU 9 records the information of the TOC area storedin the RAM 10 in the TOC area in the system region of the HDD 7 beforeproceeding to step ST59.

At step ST59, the CPU 9 records the information in the TOC area storedin the in the system region recorded at step ST58 directly in the TOCarea in the backup region to terminate the recording operation to enterthe stand-by state.

Thus, with the above-described recoding processing, the AV data isrecorded in the user data region, while the information of the TOC area,varied by recording the AV data, is recorded in the RAM 10 and in theTOC area in the system region and in the backup region. It is possiblewith the above-described information recording/reproducing apparatus 1to record and reproduce the AV data simultaneously. Thus, it is possiblewith the present information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 to recordAV data in both the AV data area and in the memo data area, as the AVdata recorded in the AV data area is reproduced, if the the AV data areaand the memo data area are set in recording and/or reproduction. Also,in this information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, the AV data maybe recorded in the AV data area or in the memo data area as the AV datarecorded in the AV data area is reproduced. Moreover, in the presentinformation recording/reproducing apparatus 1, AV data may be recordedonly in the AV data area, as the AV data area recorded in the memo dataarea is reproduced, the AV data may be recorded only in the AV dataarea, or the AV data may be recorded only in the memo data area. Thatis, in the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, plural memodata areas may be set responsive to the actuating input signal from theuser, and the AV data area and the memo data areas may be recorded orreproduced optionally.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information recording apparatus comprising: adisc-shaped recording medium having a management information region anda user data region having a first data area and a second data area, saidfirst data area and said second data area having a ring storagestructure recording format; and recording means for continuouslyrecording audio/video data in said user data region from a recordingstart logical block to a recording end logical block and for againrecording the audio/video data from the recording start logical block;wherein said recording means includes means for preventing filefragmentation and for assuring continuity of the recorded audio/videodata in said second data area and wherein said recording means recordsat least a portion of said audio/video data recorded in said first dataarea temporally continuously into said second data area; and whereinsaid recording means controls a frequency of the audio/video data ineach said data area to hierarchize recording durability from one saiddata area to another.
 2. The information recording apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said recording means includes splitting means forsplitting a user data region of said disc-shaped recording medium into aplurality of data areas, continuously recording said audio/video datafrom a recording start logical block to a recording end logical blockfrom one data area to another and again recording the audio/video datafrom the recording start logical block.
 3. The information recordingapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said recording means includescontrol means for varying the frequency of recording of said recordingareas to record said audio/video data.
 4. The information recordingapparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control means includesrecording means for recording at least a portion of said audio/videodata recorded in a first data area among said plural data areas in dataareas other than said first data area.
 5. The information recordingapparatus according to claim 4 wherein said recording means whenrecording said audio/video data recorded in said first data area incertain ones of said plural data areas vary the compression rate of theaudio/video data for doing the recording.
 6. The information recordingapparatus according to claim 2 wherein there are provided n disc-shapedrecording medium and wherein said recording means includes means forsplitting said data areas as the capacity of the user data region ofsaid disc-shaped recording medium is n-tupled responsive to an actuationcommand of said actuation input means.
 7. The information recordingapparatus according to claim 2 wherein there are provided n disc-shapedrecording mediums and wherein said recording means includes splittingmeans for splitting the user data region of each disc-shaped recordingmedium into m data areas responsive to an actuation command of saidactuation input means for splitting into n×m data areas.
 8. Theinformation recording apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, if thetime for one complete revolution of the disc-shaped recording medium isr, the seek time required for the recording means to move from theinnermost rim to the outermost rim of the disc-shaped recording mediumis t and the angle of rotation for the seek time t is θ, the recordingstart logical block and the recording end logical block are positionedwith a phase offset to meet the relation θ>t/r×360°.
 9. The informationrecording apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said recording meanssplits each data area into at least two regions, that is an outer rimside region and an inner rim side region of said disc-shaped recordingmedium, and wherein said recording means records said audio/video datain said outer rim side region from an outer/inner rim side recordingstart logical block to an inner/outer rim side recording end logicalblock, said recording means recording said audio/video data in saidinner rim side area from the inner/outer rim side recording startlogical block to an outer/inner rim side recording end logical block.10. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid recording means records said audio/video data with a recordingfrequency which is hierarchically arranged by plural rings.
 11. Aninformation recording method for recording audio/video data on adisc-shaped recording medium having a management information region anda user data region having a first data area and a second data area, saidfirst data area and said second data area having a ring storagestructure recording format comprising the steps of: continuouslyrecording said audio/video data in said user data region from arecording start logical block to a recording end logical block of thedisc-shaped recording medium and for again recording the audio/videodata from the recording start logical block by use of a recording means,and preventing file fragmentation and assuring continuity of therecorded audio/video data in said second data area, wherein at least aportion of said audio/video data recorded in said first data area aretemporally continuously recorded into said second data area; and whereinsaid recording means controls a frequency of the audio/video data ineach said data area to hierarchize recording durability from one saiddata area to another.
 12. The information recording method according toclaim 11 wherein said recording step includes splitting the user dataregion into a plurality of data areas; and continuously recording saidaudio/video data in each data area as from the recording start logicalblock to the recording end logical block of said disc-shaped recordingmedium and again recording said audio/video data as from the recordingstart logical block.
 13. The information recording method according toclaim 12 wherein said recording step includes recording at least aportion of said audio/video data recorded in a first data area amongsaid plural areas in data areas other than said first data area.
 14. Theinformation recording method according to claim 11 wherein said userarea region has a recording start logical block arrayed at a positioncorresponding to the time required for movement from a position of therecording start logical block to a recording end logical block.
 15. Theinformation recording method according to claim 12 wherein, whenrecording said audio/video data on n disc-shaped recording mediums, saidrecording step includes n-tupling the capacity of the user data regionof said disc-shaped recording medium for doing the recording.
 16. Theinformation recording method according to claim 12 wherein, whenrecording said audio/video data on n disc-shaped recording mediums, saidrecording step includes splitting the user data region of eachdisc-shaped recording medium into m data areas for splitting into n×mdata areas for doing the recording.
 17. The information recording methodaccording to claim 11 wherein said recording step includes splittingeach data area into at least two regions, namely an outer rim sideregion and an inner rim side region; and recording said audio/video datain an outer rim side region from an outer/inner rim side recording startlogical block to an inner/outer rim side recording end logical block andalso recording said audio/video data in an inner rim side region from aninner/outer rim side recording start logical block to an outer/inner rimside recording end logical block.
 18. The information recording methodaccording to claim 11, wherein said audio/video data are recorded with arecording frequency which is hierarchically arranged by plural rings.19. An information recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: adisc-shaped recording medium having a management information region anda user data region having a first data area and a second data area, saidfirst data area and said second data area having a ring storagestructure recording format; recording means for continuously recordingsaid audio/video data in said user data region from a recording startlogical block to a recording end logical block and for again recordingthe audio/video data from the recording start logical block, whereinsaid recording means includes means for preventing file fragmentationand for assuring continuity of the recorded audio/video data in saidsecond data area by recording and wherein said recording means recordsat least a portion of said audio/video data recorded in said first dataarea temporally continuously into said second data area; and reproducingmeans for reproducing said audio/video data stored in said recordingmeans; said recording means and the reproducing means recording saidaudio/video data in the user data region of said disc-shaped recordingmedium and reproducing the audio/video data recorded in the user dataregion of the disc-shaped recording medium; and wherein said recordingmeans controls a frequency of the audio/video data in each said dataarea to hierarchize recording durability from one said data area toanother.
 20. The information recording/reproducing apparatus accordingto claim 19 wherein said recording means includes splitting means forsplitting the user data region of said disc-shaped recording medium intoa plurality of data areas.
 21. The information recording apparatusaccording to claim 19, wherein said recording means records saidaudio/video data with a recording frequency which is hierarchicallyarranged by plural rings.
 22. An information recording/reproducingmethod for recording said audio/video data on a disc-shaped recordingmedium having a management information region and a user data regionhaving a first data area and a second data area, said first data areaand said second data area having a ring storage structure recordingformat, said method comprising the steps of: continuously recording byuse of a recording means said audio/video data from a recording startlogical block to a recording end logical block of the disc-shapedrecording medium having a management information region and a user dataregion made up of a plurality of logical blocks, and again recordinginformation from the recording start logical block, preventing filefragmentation and assuring continuity of the recorded audio/video datain said second data area, wherein at least a portion of said audio/videodata recorded in said first data area are temporally continuouslyrecorded into said second data area; and reproducing the audio/videodata recorded in the user data region of the disc-shaped recordingmedium; and wherein said recording means controls a frequency of theaudio/video data in each said data area to hierarchize recordingdurability from one said data area to another.
 23. The informationrecording/reproducing method according to claim 22 further comprising:splitting the user data region of said disc-shaped recording medium intoa plurality of data areas; and recording information in said data areawhile reproducing said audio/video data recorded in the user data regionof the disc-shaped recording medium.
 24. The information recordingmethod according to claim 22, wherein said audio/video data are recordedwith a recording frequency which is hierarchically arranged by pluralrings.